Poetry and the transpersonal
Transpersonal Psychology Review January 1, 2020 DOI: 10.53841/bpstran.2020.22.1.63 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPoetry and poets are examined through a transpersonal lens. The paper first explores how altered states of consciousness may play a role in the poet's creative act. It then turns to the reader, suggesting that reading poetry can induce transpersonal states or, at minimum, produce effects that extend beyond the literal meaning of the words.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that poetry reading can lead to transpersonal states, with effects that go beyond the meaning of the words |
Abstract
This paper considers poetry, poets and the transpersonal. It first considers the creation of poetry in relation to the transpersonal with the focus on the poet, in particular the role of altered states of consciousness for the poet in the act of creation; the focus then shifts to the reader of poetry to consider if poetry reading can lead to transpersonal states, finding at least that poetry has effects that go beyond the meaning of the words.